Renata Beason displays some of her handiwork at The Embroidery Shoppe. Beason, 39, is originally from Poland and has owned the store since 2007, which she was inspired to buy because of her own love of quilting.

‘Go out of the box’: Five minutes with Renata Beason, 39, owner of The Embroidery Shoppe

Where is your hometown? “I came from Poland in 1991. I’m from Gdansk, which is a shipyard place. That’s where I grew up, and then I visited my cousin in Canada and I wanted to explore.”

When did you move to town? “I lived in Steamboat first and then I moved to Craig in 1999, and I’ve been here since then.”

Motto or outlook on life? “My outlook is I think I’m at the point in life where I’d like to be. I don’t mind challenging myself, and I want to be able to help people when I can.”

When did you first get started in your job? “I’ve been the owner here since 2007. I just love it, and I want to thank the community for supporting me in my business. My mother-in-law got me into quilting and I’m hoping to pass that on. It was when I met my husband in the ‘90s when she taught me.”

Favorite part of your job? “I love quilting and embroidering — it is my passion. I love helping people with their projects and sometimes we have to challenge ourselves to go out of the box with the color combinations. My first quilt took me three years to finish, but I got it done and it’s still on my bed.”

Color that goes best with your craft? “Brown. I love earthy tones, Victorian types, like rich burgundy, blues. I’m trying to do a different color scheme, and that’s what challenging.”

Favorite part of life in Northwest Colorado? “I like the weather. Not so much the winter, but I can live with that. I like the scenery because it’s completely different from where I grew up. I grew up by the sea and the beach, which gets kind of boring. Over here, I think there’s more things to do than just going to the beach, and I really like the outdoors.”

Movie, TV show or musical group that’s most affected your life? “Disco music. (Laughs) That’s what I had growing up and I still love it. ABBA is my favorite.”

Dream vacation? “I want to go on a cruise. I want to go with my husband and parents-in-law, and we’re thinking about an Alaskan cruise.”

Proudest accomplishment? “Where I’m at right now. I know if I were back in Poland, I wouldn’t have what I have right here. I have a wonderful husband, kids, business, wonderful customers I always have a good time with. I can’t ask for more.”

Misconception you believe the world has about the U.S.? “I know a few years back, when the economy was greater than it is now, we were always thinking that America has everything and we don’t have to worry about anything. But what people from overseas don’t realize is how much harder you have to work to really get to that point. They think we’re this big and gracious country, but they don’t understand how hard we work to get there.”